PNP Assures Safety of Joma Upon Return to PH for Peace Talks

Authorities are ready to provide protection to Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founding chairman Jose Maria Sison in case he decides to return to the country in August for peace talks with the Philippine government.

In a press briefing Wednesday, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said the PNP will provide personnel to the 79-year-old communist leader “if he needs protective security”.

Albayalde added that under the terms of the peace talks, safe conduct passes are usually issued to allow free movement to participants.

Sison has been in exile in the Netherlands since 1987 shortly after being released from prison when the late President Ferdinand Marcos was ousted from office.

He graduated from the University of the Philippines in 1959. In 1964, he co-founded the Kabataang Makabayan. On December 26, 1968, Sison formed and led the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).

On March 29, 1969, the CPP, along with a faction of former anti-Japanese guerilla forces, led by Bernabe Buscayno, organized the New People’s Army (NPA), the armed wing of the Party. (PNA)